Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Marked with spots or patches: Having small, distinct areas of a different color or texture.
   • Inconsistent or irregular: Lacking uniformity or reliability; not constant in quality or occurrence.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The puppy had a spotty coat of brown and white. (Describes a coat marked with spots.)
  • His attendance at the meetings has been spotty this year. (Describes inconsistent attendance.)
  • The Wi-Fi connection in this building is notoriously spotty. (Describes an unreliable connection.)

Advanced Usage

• "Spotty record": A history or performance that is inconsistent or mixed in quality.
  • The company has a spotty record on environmental issues.
• "Spotty coverage": Refers to service (e.g., cellular, internet) that is available only in some areas or works intermittently.
  • We experienced spotty coverage while driving through the mountains.

Variants and Related Words

• Spotted (adj): Marked with spots. Often used interchangeably with 'spotty' for patterns, but 'spotted' is more common for describing animals or specific items (e.g., a spotted dress).
• Patchy (adj): Similar to 'spotty' in meaning irregular or existing only in some areas. (e.g., ).
• Speckled (adj): Covered with many small spots or marks.

Synonyms

• Inconsistent: Not staying the same in behavior or quality.
• Irregular: Not even or balanced in pattern or movement.
• Blotchy: Having irregular patches or spots of color.
• Erratic: Unpredictable or irregular in pattern.

Antonyms

• Consistent: Acting or done in the same way over time.
• Uniform: Not varying; the same in all cases and at all times.
• Unblemished: Not damaged or marked; free from flaws or spots.
• Reliable: Consistently good in quality or performance.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "A spotty performance": A performance that is good in parts but not throughout.
  • The team gave a spotty performance, winning the first half but collapsing in the second.
• "Spotty knowledge": Knowledge that is incomplete or exists only in certain areas.
  • His spotty knowledge of French made the conversation difficult.

Adjective

1. lacking consistency
   • the golfer hit the ball well but his putting was spotty
2. having spots or patches (small areas of contrasting color or texture)
   • a field patched with ice and snow
   • the wall had a spotty speckled effect
   • a black-and-white spotted cow